In a ceremony held on December 15 in Bremerhaven, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems celebrated the delivery of the frigate "AL-QADEER" to the Navy of the Arab Republic of Egypt. This event marks a significant milestone, as "AL-QADEER" is the third vessel in a series of four MEKO® A-200 EN frigates, signifying a strong partnership between Germany and Egypt.
The ceremony, attended by representatives from both the Egyptian and German Navy, showcased the culmination of meticulous craftsmanship and collaborative efforts. The journey of "AL-QADEER" commenced with the first steel cutting in the autumn of 2020, progressing through keel laying in March 2021, launching in April 2022, and finally earning its name in October 2022. Soon, "AL-QADEER" will set sail for Alexandria, Egypt.
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, the recent Egyptian Defense Exhibition EDEX 2023 in Cairo witnessed the launch of the fourth Frigate, "AL-JABBAR," with an anticipated delivery date set for October 2025.
In 2018, the Arab Republic of Egypt entrusted thyssenkrupp Marine Systems with the commission to build a total of four identical ships. The first three units – "AL-AZIZ," "AL-QAHHAR," and "AL-QADEER" – were meticulously crafted in Germany. Simultaneously, the fourth frigate is currently under construction at Alexandria Shipyard in Egypt.
Vice Admiral Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa, Commander in Chief of the Egyptian Navy, expressed his pride, stating, "Within only 14 months, the Egyptian Navy received the three MEKO® A-200 Frigates AL-AZIZ, AL-QAHHAR, and AL-QADEER. These repeated visits for the handovers are the actual proof of the extent of cooperation and friendship between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Federal Republic of Germany."
Highlighting the significance of this achievement, Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, remarked, "Just six months after the handover of the second frigate, 'AL-QAHHAR,' another state-of-the-art ship was successfully delivered to the Egyptian Navy today. The handover marks the official completion of construction of the ships in Germany, all in record time. The fourth frigate will be completed at Alexandria Shipyard in close cooperation with thyssenkrupp Marine Systems."
The MEKO family of warships, developed by the renowned German company Blohm+Voss, stands as a testament to modern naval shipbuilding. MEKO, a registered trademark representing "Mehrzweck-Kombination" (multi-purpose-combination), embodies a concept emphasizing modularity, ease of maintenance, and cost reduction.
Construction of MEKO ships began in the late 1970s, evolving into families of frigates, corvettes, and ocean-going patrol boats. The MEKO A-200 Frigate, following the legacy of the MEKO 200 series, is a versatile fighting ship designed for 4-dimensional warfare. Its capabilities encompass air, surface, and underwater warfare, as well as ballistic missile defense.
As thyssenkrupp Marine Systems celebrates this remarkable milestone, the MEKO A-200 Frigate stands as a shining example of innovative propulsion, stealth, and survivability design. With reduced radar, infrared, acoustic, and magnetic signatures, the vessel ensures low visibility, making it a formidable asset for the Egyptian Navy.
The handover of "AL-QADEER" underscores the successful collaboration between thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and the Egyptian Navy, contributing to enhanced defense capabilities and fostering lasting diplomatic ties between nations.
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Naval Force